Rain Gardens

Rain gardens are an attractive way to help rainwater and runoff be absorbed by the soil.

A “rain garden” is a man-made depression in the ground that collects water runoff and stores it, permitting it be filtered and slowly absorbed by the soil.

You can learn how to create a rain garden.

In addition to helping Virginians create rain gardens and riparian forest buffers on their property, the VDOF plays a significant role in maintaining water quality. Our activities include:

  • Inspecting timber harvest sites to ensure that sediment isn't eroding into streams and waterways
  • Monitoring streams for sediment deposition, and conducting field audits

New, Noteworthy and Upcoming

Video presentation of wildland firefighting: Take a look at a web video showing how we protect lives and property from wildfire, as well as the dangers firefighters face.

Most Requested Information and Services

Seedling Store We've CLOSED for the 2012-2013 selling season. Thanks for your support! We'll open again in October, 2013.

The Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund is available to support economic development and job creation efforts. Virginia now has an economic development grant program designed specifically to support agriculture and forestry development projects.

AFID Guidelines may be obtained on the VDACS website.

Read the grant program announcement.

Native Trees of Virginia I'm ready to purchase a copy online or pay by check.

Timber Harvesting

Logging Notification Loggers notify us of their timber harvests.

Timber Harvester Identification Number Registration If you harvest timber, you can register online to receive your identification number.

Logger Incentive Program
Loggers may be eligible for a $2,000 payment per application that meets the program requirements.


Panel of portraits of Governor Bob McDonnell, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore and State Forester Carl Garrison.

News and Information

Press Room | News releases | Blogs - Online blogs maintained by employees of the Virginia Department of Forestry.

Forestry News Receive timely information about the services we provide landowners; the research we conduct on your behalf, and the products that we offer to the citizens of the Commonwealth.

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Last modified: Wednesday, 01-May-2013 08:41:12 EDT